Hurricanes 1900 - 1999

In most states, hurricanes occur infrequently. Yet, when a hurricane hits, the losses can be catastrophic. Average annual losses are not a meaningful measure of damage from rare but potentially catastrophic events. The frequency of occurrence and the total damage potential are of greater concern and therefore are emphasized in our presentation of hurricane damage. Throughout the large hurricane-prone region near the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts, future hurricanes are likely to strike in places that have had the good fortune to be missed in the past. Damage potential increases as economic development increases. Thus, historical maximum damage is likely to be exceeded in the future. Click here for state rankings by single year largest normalized damage and number of years with hurricane damage. Click here for a list of the "Top 30 Damaging Hurricanes in the Continental U.S."